The Life of God in the Soul

The Life of God in the Soul

by James Smith, 1860

True religion is not a religious form — but a LIFE. It is the life which God imparts — the life which God communicates in regeneration, and nourishes by his word, ordinances, and communion with himself. This inward principle of life develops itself in:
a life of faith in the Son of God;
a life of love, so that we love God, and everything that is godlike;
a life of holiness, so that we obey God — and in all we do, we seek to please him.

Not only so — but it constantly aspires to God as its author and source. It makes us devout, and the life we live is a life of devotion. In all that we do — we consult the will of God, we seek grace for its performance from God, and we desire most heartily to honor God. Originating as it does in God's sovereign will, flowing as it does from God's loving heart, and ascending as it does in devout exercises to God's gracious throne — it makes us godly, or godlike! It is this one thing which distinguishes God's family from the rest of mankind, and proves their election of God.

This life of God in the soul, is SPIRITUAL, manifesting itself in spiritual desires, and spiritual exercises. It gives us a taste for spiritual things, and requires to be sustained by spiritual provision — Christ, the bread of life — and the living water which He gives. It is energetic, and therefore it urges, and impels us — to perform spiritual duties, overcome all carnal customs and habits, and to seek conformity to Christ in all things.

This life of God in the soul, is USEFUL, not only to its possessor, as qualifying him for spiritual duties and privileges, and making him fit for heaven; but it always makes those in whom it dwells — useful to others, both saints and sinners. A useless man cannot have the life of God within him, for wherever it is, it makes him feel that he must be useful, must do good to others to some extent.

This life of God in the soul, is ETERNAL, it can never die — and never be destroyed. The soul is not more immortal, than is this life which God gives. Yes, outside of God himself, we know of nothing that is more certain of endless duration, than this life of God in the soul. It is the source of all that is holy, useful, happy, and glorious. He who has this life — can never perish, nor can anyone wrest him from the Savior's omnipotent hands!

This life of God in the soul, is for GOD'S GLORY. As it originated in his sovereign good pleasure — so it is communicated and is maintained for his honor. And as it is maintained for his honor — so it is designed and intended to advance his glory.

This life of God in the soul, will ultimately be therefore a life WITH GOD. We believe that we shall live with him. It brings us into his spiritual presence now — and gives us the enjoyment of his love. And it introduces us into his glorious presence at death — and then we shall have a life of perfect enjoyment, and purest pleasure forever! We will be as holy — as God is holy; as happy — as God is happy; as immortal — as God is immortal.

O what a prospect! What glory, what grandeur, what blessedness awaits us! The life of God, which now pants within us, and has to strive and do battle with the direful corruptions of the heart — the life which generates every good desire and every holy aspiration — the life which will not let us rest in forms, or live in sin — that life will soon burst forth in power, splendor, and immortal glory — and then we shall be satisfied, for we shall awake in our Savior's likeness!

Recommended reading

I recently read the little book The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. The author was a 17th century Presbyterian pastor in Scotland. The book is actually a letter he wrote to a friend, as I understand it he never intended it to be published and it wasn't put into print until after his death, which occurred at the age of 27.

It is a heart searching read; a read that both warms the heart and penetrates the soul. The great evangelist George Whitfield said; "I never knew what true religion was till God sent me this excellent treatise".

If I may I'll share an excerpt from the book and let you get a taste for yourself.

This section is from the beginning of the book, enjoy:

"I cannot speak of religion, but I must lament, that among so many pretenders to it, so few understand what it means: some placing it in the understanding, in orthodox notions and opinions; and all the account they can give of their religion is, that they are of this and the other persuasion, and have joined themselves to one of those many sects where into Christendom is most unhappily divided. Others place it in the outward man, in a constant course of external duties, and a model of performances. If they live peaceably with their neighbors, keep a temperate diet, observe the returns of worship, frequenting the church, or their closet, and sometimes extend their hands to the relief of the poor, they think they have sufficiently acquitted themselves. Others again put all religion in the affections, in rapturous hearts, and ecstatic devotion; and all they aim at is, to pray with passion, and think of heaven with pleasure, and to be affected with those kind and melting expressions wherewith they court their Savior, till they persuade themselves they are mightily in love with him, and from thence assume a great confidence of their salvation, which they esteem the chief of Christian graces. Thus are these things which have any resemblance of piety, and at the best are but means of obtaining it, or particular exercises of it, frequently mistaken for the whole of religion: nay, sometimes wickedness and vice pretend to that name. I speak not now of those gross impieties wherewith the Heathens were wont to worship their gods. There are but too many Christians who would consecrate their vices, and follow their corrupt affections, whose ragged humour and sullen pride must pass for Christian severity; whose fierce wrath, and bitter rage against their enemies, must be called holy zeal; whose petulancy towards their superiors, or rebellion against their governors, must have the name of Christian courage and resolution.

But certainly religion is quite another thing, and they who are acquainted with it will entertain far different thoughts, and disdain all those shadows and false imitations of it. They know by experience that true religion is a union of the soul with God, a real participation of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul, or, in the apostle’s phrase, “It is Christ formed within us.”—Briefly, I know not how the nature of religion can be more fully expressed, than by calling it a Divine Life: and under these terms I shall discourse of it, showing first, how it is called a life; and then, how it is termed divine."

Excerpts from a Jonathan Edwards sermon

In 1734 Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon to his congregation at Northampton titled, A Divine And Supernatural Light, Immediately Imparted To The Soul By The Spirit Of God, Shown To Be Both A Scriptural And Rational Doctrine.


His text was Mat. 16:17; And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.


There are three excerpts that I would like to share with you in this blog, they are somewhat lengthy and if you are like me you will need to read them more than once in order to fully digest them.


This first excerpt is from the introduction portion of the sermon;

What had passed in the preceding discourse naturally occasioned Christ to observe this; because the disciples had been telling how others did not know him, but were generally mistaken about him, divided and confounded in their opinions of him: but Peter had declared his assured faith, that he was the Son of God. Now it was natural to observe, how it was not flesh and blood that had revealed it to him, but God; for if this knowledge were dependent on natural causes or means, how came it to pass that they, a company of poor fishermen, illiterate men, and persons of low education, attained to the knowledge of the truth; while the scribes and Pharisees, men of vastly higher advantages, and greater knowledge and sagacity in other matters, remained in ignorance? This could be owing only to the gracious, distinguishing influence and revelation of the Spirit of God. Hence, what I would make the subject of my present discourse from these words, is this DOCTRINE, That there is such a thing as a spiritual and divine light, immediately imparted to the soul by God, of a different nature from any that is obtained by natural means.


The second reading comes from his first point;

...He (Spirit of God) acts in the mind of a saint as an indwelling principle...he unites himself with the mind of a saint, takes him for his temple, actuates and influences him as a new supernatural principle of life and action. There is this difference, that the Spirit of God, in acting in the soul of a godly man, exerts and communicates himself there in his own proper nature. Holiness is the proper nature of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit operates in the minds of the godly, by uniting himself to them, and living in them, exerting His own nature in the exercise of their faculties.

The third and final excerpt comes from Mr. Edwards closing words of the sermon;

 This light, and this only, has its fruit in an universal holiness of life...It shows God as worthy to be obeyed and served. It draws forth the heart in a sincere love to God, which is the only principle of a true, gracious and universal obedience; and it convinces of the reality of those glorious rewards that God has promised to them that obey him.


Some supporting scriptures that came to my mind as I read this message; 

But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.    John 1:12-13

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.                             John 3:3-7

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom 8:9
 
Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.                           James 1:18

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Pet 1:22-23

My own observations:

I could not help but ask myself ; do I have this supernatural light imparted in my soul? Am I born from above? Am I born of God? Is this indwelling principle of life in me? Has He united Himself to me? Has Christ been revealed in me, has He been formed in me? These are fair questions for each of us.

Paul exhorted the Corinthian church; "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Peter said in his letter to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure". 


These apostles, under the influence of the Holy Spirit,  were writing to the people in the church. They took none of their hearers/readers soul condition for granted. They assumed nothing. You and I know that no one can examine ourselves except ourselves(and we're pretty poor at that). In the last day we must not be found lacking the very thing we profess to have!



 

Crucified with Christ

From the pen of Bro. Mike McInnis

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

This verse along with several other New Testament passages of scripture profoundly declare the glorious and perfect standing of the sons of GOD with their FATHER. One is “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal 6:14) Another is “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) And yet another is, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:11) Still another is, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31)

We have all heard the mantra; “What you have is GOD’s gift to you, what you do with what you have is your gift to GOD.” This teaching is espoused far and wide among many well meaning folks who are convinced that it is a basic truth. It certainly has a nice ring to it and is very appealing to the natural religious mind. This is exactly the concept that the Jews followed according to Paul’s description. “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Rom 10:3)

Paul recognized that he could not in any way enhance that which was given to him by GOD’s grace nor did he suppose he could somehow perform some deed of righteousness which could insure GOD’s continued favor or, conversely, commit some act would cause him to forfeit that gift. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Cor 4:7) He understood quite clearly that there was no place in the believers life wherein he might glory in his own effort, regardless of the supposed triumphs or victories which GOD was pleased to manifest in him. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.” (Rom 14:7-8)

Those who have been given the privilege to be the sons of GOD are so because it has pleased GOD to make them such. HE has redeemed them with the precious blood of HIS only begotten SON and does, in HIS own time, call them out by HIS grace. HE has seen fit to leave them in this world for a season, not as a “proving ground”, to find out which among them are worthy, but rather to manifest HIS faithfulness to them in applying the righteousness of CHRIST to them, even though they be thought to be the offscouring of the earth by its inhabitants, and in and of themselves worthy of nothing but death. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2Cor 4:7)

How can any man ever take credit for that which is the operation of GOD’s SPIRIT? “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13) Or how can a man entertain the notion that he can somehow become a child of GOD by some activity of his own? “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13) Paul said:

“I am crucified with CHRIST.” He makes it clear that HIS redemption is in and by CHRIST. One of the most glorious aspects of that which CHRIST has performed is a contemplation of HIS love for and union with those whose sins HE atoned for. HE came as the “KINSMAN REDEEMER” for all of those whom HE loved before the foundation of the world. HE says to HIS FATHER, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me.” (John 17:6) HE is the ELDER BROTHER of all of those who belong to HIM and can no more be separated from them in that capacity than HE can be separated from HIS FATHER as the ETERNAL SON. Therefore when HE suffered they suffered, when HE died they died, when HE rose again so did they, and when HE comes back they shall be with HIM.

“Nevertheless I live”. He is saying that he presently is alive in a state totally free from the condemnation, power, and guilt of sin, He cannot be brought under its curse any longer because he is dead to the law and alive unto CHRIST. His case has been taken out of the court of sin and death, (since CHRIST has died in his behalf) and now he dwells under the law of the SPIRIT of LIFE in CHRIST JESUS where there is no condemnation of any sort that can be leveled against him, by men or angels.. (see Rom.8:1,2)

“Yet not I but CHRIST liveth in me.” Lest any man should think that the power of this LIFE is in any wise his own or that its ownership is somehow “transferred” or the righteousness thereof “imparted” to him, he makes it clear that all of his “righteousness” is that which is his by the imputation of CHRIST’s righteousness and that any product thereof is that of the SPIRIT of CHRIST who dwells in him.

“And the life which I now live in the flesh”. Then so that no man should think that he is describing some “out of body” (or purely spiritual) experience he plainly declares that the LORD is pleased to operate in us and through us in these mortal bodies. Some seem to think that those whom the LORD is pleased to manifest as HIS children can live in such a manner as to be totally at odds with the work of that SPIRIT. Paul entertained no such notion saying, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:10-11) GOD is pleased to work in those HE has justified and called. A man devoid of the SPIRIT’s presence is not a manifested child of GOD. “But ye are not in the flesh, (i.e. operating under its dominion) but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom 8:9)

“I live by the faith of the SON of GOD.” He makes it very plain that even that faith in which we stand by the grace of GOD is not ours. That “faith” which we possess is “of CHRIST” in its origin. HE is the giver of faith, no man can boast either in its presence or in any wise as to the degree with which it is bestowed upon him, it is the gift of GOD. It is the faith “of CHRIST” because all of the hopes and expectations of the sons of GOD have their total basis in that which HE has done in their behalf. It is the “faith of CHRIST” as to all of their desires for the future. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69)

“Who loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.” “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Cor 6:19-20)

from Gadsby's Hymns, 173

Christ a Sanctuary

To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary. Ps. 63:2

Honour and majesty are before Him: strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ps. 96:6

Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary. Isa. 8:13-14a

Jesus before Thy face I fall,
My Lord, my Life, my Hope, my All;
For I have nowhere else to flee,
No sanctuary, Lord, but Thee.

In Thee I every glory view,
Of safety, strength, and beauty too;
Beloved Savior, ever be
A Sanctuary unto me.

Whatever woes and fears betide,
In Thy dear bosom let me hide;
And, while I pour my soul to Thee,
Do Thou my Sanctuary be.

Through life and all its changing scenes,
And all the grief that intervenes,
Tis this supports my fainting heart ,
That Thou my Sanctuary art.

Apace the solemn hour draws nigh,
When I must bow my head and die;
But O what joy this witness gives,
Jesus, my Sanctuary lives!

He from the grave my dust will raise;
I in the heavens will sing His praise;
And when in glory I appear,
He'll be my Sanctuary there.

As I read this hymn I thought of those verses in John 6; "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

This hymn may be sung to the tune of Blessed Assurance or When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

What Does the Lord Understand? part 7

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

What does the Lord understand about heaven?

Revelation 21:27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

God understands that not all who are talking about heaven are going there -- only those who have their full confidence and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Does the Lord Understand? part 5

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

What does the Lord Understand about you?

Romans 3:23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...Romans 3:10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

big bang experiment update

If you read my previous post then here is a link regarding the big bang experiment:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7604293.stm

Now my questions are:
1. How long before this 'thing' creates an earth?
2.When will a cave man pop out of the "thing"? Geico should be standing by and waiting to shoot a commercial.


In all sincerity hear what the scriptures say:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen 1:1

"But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, ... He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. " Jer. 10:10-14


"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect." Psa 33:6


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:1-5

All things

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat. 11:25-30


For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:34-36